Head weighting system for spinal treatment

ABSTRACT

A system for weighting a patient&#39;s skeletal system is provided that includes a number of weights; a headpiece having a stitched cavity divided into a number of pockets, each sized and shaped to hold at least one weight; and three adjustable straps attached by stitching to the headpiece.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to musculoskeletal examination,evaluation, and treatment methodology, and, more particularly, to aspinal diagnosis and head weighting system that loads the spine in amanner to evoke the body's righting reflexes as an adjusting procedurefor spinal correction, rehabilitation, and maintenance.

2. Description of the Related Art

The global human spine is divided functionally into six units, theskull, the cervical region (C1 to C4), the thoracic region (C5 to T7),the lower thoracic region (T8 to L2), the lumbar region, (L1 to L5), andthe sacral region (S1 to S5, which are fused together). The neck, orcervical spine, has seven vertebrae that assume a natural anteriorconvex curvature, known as lordosis.

With correct lateral spine posture, there is forward lordotic curve inthe cervical region, a backward kyphotic curve in the thoracic region,and a forward lordotic curve in the lumbar region. An abnormal posturewith an exaggerated backward curvature of the spine in any region iscalled kyphosis and resembles a hunch-back posture. A third abnormalposture, scoliosis, is evidenced by an S-shaped curvature of the spinewhen viewed from the back.

The spine may be divided further into single functional units thatconsist of a single vertebrae and the disc that separates them. Theanterior portion of the vertebral functional unit is the weight bearingportion, and it is ideally constructed with two rounded vertebrae withflattened ends. These vertebrae are separated by an invertebral discthat acts as a spacer and shock absorber.

A natural alignment or neutral spine is characterized as a mid-way pointbetween maximum anterior pelvic tilt and a maximum posterior pelvictilt. This should be a comfortable position with the shoulders held backand relaxed and the head situated straight ahead with the hard palateparallel to the floor. If a plumb line were dropped from the centerpoint of the head to the floor, this line would go through specificpoints of spinal joints at each level. More specifically, with normallordosis, the line would pass through the anterior third of the C4/C5disc, and back of the center of the body of the L-3 vertebrae. For thebest function and durability of the spine, it is important to maintainproper lordosis in an effort to allow weight bearing to be done by theparts of the spine that are designed to handle it.

Normal alignment, curvature, and pelvic angle are important to minimizeback and other joint problems. When injuries occur, the neck and otherjoints can assume an altered position and posture, sometimes referred toas subluxation. This condition results when there is an incompletedislocation of a joint. Although a relationship between the jointmembers is altered, contact between joints surfaces remain. When neutralalignment is not maintained, there is an increase in the likelihood ofinjury, promotion of wear and tear of the joints, and a slowing down ofthe recoverability. Hence, proper posture and alignment and full rangeof motion are mandatory for normal spinal integrity.

Loss of neutral alignment can result in a number of maladies, includingloss of the ability of the skull to forward flex on the atlas, whichproduces a forward head posture. Forward head posture generally causes aloss of the cervical lordotic curve. Weakened or injured muscles andligaments can result in a high shoulder which is commonly associatedwith a lateral acute angle deviation to the high shoulder side thatforms the lower cervical and upper dorsal spine (C-D) angle on thatside. An associated subluxation is forward protruding hip posture.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system for musculoskeletalexamination, evaluation, and treatment that loads the spine in a mannerto evoke and reprogram the body's righting reflexes and involvedmuscles, which in turn results in spinal and postural correction,rehabilitation, and maintenance. In accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention, a system for weighting a patient's skeletal system isprovided that includes a number of weights; a headpiece having first andsecond walls stitched together with stitching along a bottom side and alength of a first and second end to form a cavity, and pocket stitchingbetween the bottom side and a top side to divide the cavity into anumber of pockets that are sized and shaped to hold at least one weight;a first adjustable strap having one end attached by the stitching to thefirst end of the headpiece and a second end attached by the stitching inthe second end of the headpiece; a second adjustable strap having afirst end attached by the pocket stitching to the top side of theheadpiece adjacent the first end of the headpiece and a second endattached by the pocket stitching to the top side of the headpieceadjacent to the second end; and a third adjustable strap having a firstend attached by the pocket stitching that forms a pair of front pocketsat the top side of the headpiece and configured to loop around thesecond adjustable strap and attach to itself.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a system forweighting the skeletal system of a user is provided that includes anumber of weights, preferably in the range of one to twenty pounds, anda headpiece having at least one pocket for holding at least one weighton the user's head and at least one strap attached to the pocket andconfigured to hold the pocket to the user's head when at least onepocket contains at least one weight.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a headpiecefor weighting a patient's skeletal system with one or more weights isprovided that includes a first and second wall stitched together to forma number of pockets, sized and shaped to hold at least one weight, and anumber of straps attached to at least one of the walls.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a headpiecefor supporting one or more weights on a user's head for weighting of theuser's skeletal system is provided that includes a headband having atleast one pocket formed therein for holding at least one weight and aplurality of straps attached to the pocket for supporting andpositioning the headpiece on the user's head.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a headband isprovided for weighting a patient's head with weights as part of atherapeutic system in which the patient is first examined to determinecorrective weighting and then the headband is configured with thedetermined weighting. The provided headband includes a weight holderthat is sized and shaped to be positioned on the patient's head and atleast one pocket for holding weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

The following detailed description of representative embodiments of thesystem of the present invention will be more readily appreciated as thesame become better understood from the accompanying drawings, wherein;

FIG. 1 is an x-ray of the head and neck showing forward head posture;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the head and neck illustrating forward headposture rotated upward into extension;

FIG. 3 illustrates activation of optic, labyrinthine, and cervical jointreceptor righting reflexes, including involved muscles;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the head and neck showing the center of theskull normalized over the front of the C4/C5 disc;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are x-rays of a portion of the spine showing jointinjury;

FIG. 6 is an x-ray of the neck and spine showing stress lines andmeasurement of vertebrae position relative to the skull;

FIG. 7 is an x-ray of the neck and spine with the head weighted inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an x-ray of the head and neck with the head weighted inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an x-ray of the head and neck showing the head weighted withthe correct amount of weight to correct the cervical lordosis;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an abnormal shoulder condition caused bysubluxation of the spine;

FIG. 11 illustrates the use of self-centering head clamps prior to x-rayof a patient;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of the skull, spine, and ribcage showingdrawn lines to establish the center of skull mass;

FIG. 13 is an illustration of the placement of a headband formed inaccordance with the present invention on the skull depicted in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an illustration of the skull, spine, and ribcage of FIG. 13with the head weighted in accordance with the present invention and thegravity line and upper thoracic spine center moved closer together;

FIGS. 15A-B are front views of level head posture and level shoulderposture, respectively;

FIGS. 16A-B are frontal views of alternate head weighting in accordancewith the method of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a frontal view of the spine showing over-contraction of theneck and upper body muscles;

FIG. 18 is a frontal view of the spine of FIG. 17 showing the head overto the side of the over-contractions;

FIG. 19 is a frontal view of the spine in alignment using the lateralhead weighting procedures of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is an illustration of an A-P full spine x-ray with a loweredshoulder weighted in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is an illustration of the full spine of FIG. 15 corrected inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a side view of a weighted pack on the low shoulder side of apatient's back;

FIG. 23 is an illustration of the spine and pelvic bones weighted inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24 is an isometric projection of a head weighting system formed inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 25 is an isometric projection of a head weighting system formed inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The system and methodology of the present invention will now bedescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-18, which system is also known asthe PETTIBON WEIGHTING SYSTEM. This system has been developed utilizingthe principles of neuro-physiology involved in the body's rightingreflexes.

More particularly, the righting reflexes maintain the top side of thebody in an uppermost orientation. That is, there are five rightingreflexes for the body and head that maintain the spine and otherelements of the musculoskeletal system in neutral alignment. These areas follows:

(1) The labyrinthine righting reflex that maintains the head'sorientation in space (mid-brain);

(2) The body righting reflex that keeps the head oriented to the body(mid-brain);

(3) The body righting reflex from the body surface receptors that orientthe body in space (mid-brain);

(4) The neck righting reflex that keeps the body oriented to the head(medulla);

(5) The optic righting reflex that keeps the head in proper orientation(optic cortex).

Loss of the ability of the skull 10 to forward flex on the atlasgenerally produces a forward head posture, as shown in FIG. 1. Thisforward head posture almost always causes a loss of the cervicallordotic curve on the spine 12. In experiments on patients having thiscondition, S-EMG and x-ray techniques were used to evaluate the effectof weight placed on the back of the patient's head. This posterior headweighting caused the S-EMG reading to equalize; but it also causedexacerbation of the forward head posture, and further loss of thecervical curve was produced.

In accordance with the present invention, a frontal head weight 14placed externally on the head 16 with a removable weight holder 18produced an equal S-EMG reading but a positive positional reactiveresponse. In other words, the frontal head weighting caused contractionof the cervical extensor muscles 20, which in turn caused the patient'sforward head posture to be rotated upward into extension, as shown inFIG. 2.

However, when the head 16 is rotated upward into extension from thehorizontal plane X, the optic, labyrinthine, and cervical joint receptorrighting reflexes are activated, which in turn cause the cervical flexormuscles 22, including the muscles of mastication, to contract, as shownmore clearly in FIG. 3. Contraction of the cervical flexor muscles 22rotate the front of the head back down until the skull and eyes areagain horizontal and perpendicular to gravity.

However, the action required to rotate the head 16 back downperpendicular to gravity is opposed by the extensor muscles. X-rays showthat the front of the head 16 is not allowed to be rotated back down sothat it and the eyes are perpendicular to gravity without also forcingthe head 16 to move backwards until the center 24 of the skull 10 (frontof the sella turcica) is normalized over the front 25 of the C4/C5 disc28. In this condition, the cervical flexor 22 and extensor muscles 20are now working in concert under the direction and control of thenervous system and its righting reflexes to correct forward head postureand cervical lordosis. As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, cervicallordosis is reestablished when the cervical flexor 22 and extensormuscles 20 equalize and are strong enough to correct it. Once this isachieved, the S-EMG will equalize. This strengthening and equalizationis time dependent with the actual time varying with each patient.

After the cervical spine alignment (head posture and lordosis) has begunto be reestablished, lower spine form and function is alsoreestablished. Neural impedance is cleared, and pain eliminationfollows.

The procedures for weighting x-ray evaluation and examination toidentify joint and ligament instability and to determine the needs ofthe patient will now be described. The weight necessary to produce thedesired result will vary from patient to patient. Some may require verysmall amounts of frontal head weighting in order to cause the center ofthe skull mass 10 (front of the sella turcica) to be aligned over theanterior one third 26 of the C4/C5 disc 28 and the cervical lordosis tobe reestablished, while others may require larger amounts of weight.

The Pettibon Spine Weighting System thus begins with head and shoulderweighting (shoulder weighting and amounts are described later). Whenused correctly, the following procedures balance muscles while restoringtheir strength and endurance. This system is extremely effective whenused in both the clinic and at home. When used in tandem, the clinic andhome procedures form an adjusting mechanism for spinal correction,rehabilitation, and maintenance of the normal lateral cervical spine.

The frontal head weighting is utilized for skull-atlas non forwardflexion and over extension correction, forward head posture correction,and cervical lordosis correction. It should be noted that frontal headweighting often identifies joint injury 30 and ligament instability 32of the spine 34 that was not evident on non-weighted neutral lateral ormotion x-rays, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively. Also, whenfrontal head weighting causes the joint to abnormally separate, theamount of weight should be reduced until the abnormal weight resumes itsoriginal appearance seen on the neutral lateral x-ray. The joint shouldthen be reexamined in one to three weeks. To reexamine, the amount ofweight that caused the joint separation should be added and an x-rayretaken.

To assess the amount of weight needed for each patient, the followingprocedure should be undertaken.

Firstly, a neutral lateral cervical x-ray 36 is taken of the patient'sneck 38 and spine 40. Preferably, the x-ray 36 should be taken on a10×12 film. The face 42 should be visible on the film so that a hardpalette line 44 can be drawn for accuracy.

Secondly, the accurate hard palette line 44 should be erected or drawnon the x-ray 36. For the head position to be accurate, the hard paletteline 44 should be 90 degrees plus or minus 2 degrees to the edge of thefilm, as shown in FIG. 6.

Thirdly, a gravity line 48 should be erected. This line is 90 degrees tothe hard palette line 44 and it should intercept the front of the sellaturcica above and extend to the bottom of the film below, as also shownon FIG. 6.

Fourthly, the distance of the center of the head 50 should be measured(with the gravity line 48) forward of the front 52 of the C4/C5 disc 54.This measurement should be recorded. In other words, the distance fromthe front 52 of the C4/C5 disc 54 to the center line or gravity line 48drawn from the center of the head 50 is to be determined.

Fifthly, Jackson's stress lines 56 should be erected on the back of theC2 and C7 vertebrae 58, 60 and these lines extended until theyintersect. The acute angle of these intersected lines should be measuredand recorded, including noting the vertebrae where these two linesintersect, as also shown in FIG. 6.

Next, using a large weighted headband 62, three to four pounds of weight64 should be loaded into a front pocket 66 of the headband 62 and placedon the front 68 of the patient's head 70. With the front 68 of the head70 now weighted, further x-rays or images should be taken and remeasuredin accordance with the procedure outlined above. On the loaded x-rayimage shown in FIG. 7, the center 50 of the patient's head 70 shouldhave moved backward, closer to being over the front 52 of the C4/C5 disc54. The lordotic curve may have been corrected as this point, as shownin FIGS. 7 and 8.

In the event the center 50 of the patient's head 70 is not near or overthe front 52 of the C4/C5 disc 54 and if the lordotic curve has not beencorrected, additional weight should be added (usually two to threepounds) and additional x-ray images taken and measured repeatedly untilthe center 50 of the skull is near or over the front 52 of the C4/C5disc 54. In this way, the amount of weight needed to correct thepatient's head posture and to correct the cervical lordosis as shown inFIG. 9 may be determined.

It should be noted that often the lordotic curvature does not correctduring the evaluation procedure. However, recentering the skull mass(front of the sella turcica) over the C4/C5 disc is the most importantaspect of this procedure. In addition to correcting forward headposture, the procedure in accordance with the present invention forcesthe involved muscles to begin and to eventually correct the lordosis.

The three conditions to be corrected, as listed above, may beaccomplished in as little as a few minutes or they may take up to threemonths or more. For maximum results, after the proper amount of frontalhead weight has been established, the patient should be instructed towear the frontal head weight while they are in an upright position forat least 20 minutes at a time. Ideally, the patient should commit todoing the exercises twice a day for a period of ninety days, beginningthe first thing in the morning after rising in order to equalize thecervical flexors and extensors, as well as to increase strength andendurance so that the correction of spinal form and function is completeand permanent. After the ninety day correction-rehabilitation care iscomplete, the patient will be able to maintain muscle strength andendurance and the cervical lordosis corrections with one weekly,full-weighted twenty minute exercise session.

Because of weak muscles or recent injuries, some patients do notinitially tolerate the additional weight. Generally, the most commonweight for the introductory period is two to six pounds, with moreweight being added at the patient's toleration, until the total reachesthe weight necessary to correct the condition. Should the patient nottolerate the initial weight, the length of time the patient is requiredto wear the initial weight should be increased so that the time-weightratio is maintained and a lower weight can be used. For example, if thex-ray examination determined that six pounds is required to correct theforward head posture and the patient can only tolerate two pounds, thenthe patient should wear the two pound weight for sixty minutes. Theclinician may expect the same spinal correction when the time islengthened to compensate for the patient's inability to tolerate moreweight.

It should be noted that too much weight will over weight the head,causing the head to rotate forward rather than backward. When thisoccurs, the patient should be started with lighter weights and have themworn for longer periods of time, as discussed above. The lighter weightmay be worn for up to one hour at a time. For the patient that beginswith lighter weight, the amount of weight should be increasedapproximately every other day.

It should further be noted that head weighting should be performed twicedaily beginning first thing after rising to follow with cervicaltraction each morning. Head weighting may cause nausea if it is donelater in the day without utilizing the head weighting in the morning.

Also, it has been found that grossly obese patients must distort theirbody posture backward and their head posture forward in order to sit andto stand. Therefore, frontal head weighting will not work on thesegrossly obese patients. Attempts to use the procedures may result indizziness or nausea or other reflex disturbances. The patient should betold that their spine can never be corrected until they shed this excessweight.

Once frontal head weighting has functionally or completely correctedcervical lordosis, a patient's spine will accept lateral head weightingand a lateral spine adjusting forces. Lateral head weighing procedurescan identify lateral joint and ligament instability and can be used tocorrect lateral cervical and lateral upper thoracic subluxationcomplexes and scoliosis.

For example, a patient's high shoulder 72, as illustrated in FIG. 10, isassociated with a lateral acute angel deviation to the high shoulderside, which forms the lower cervical and upper dorsal spine (C-D) angle74 on that side. Therefore, the high shoulder side 76 of the head 78 isusually weighted to aid lateral spine correction down to the T7vertebrae. However, during trauma, the spinal ligaments that hold thevertebrae together and act as the fulcrums for the spinal motion musclesto act upon are often injured. Such injured ligaments cannot beidentified under normal motion or static A-P x-ray examination.

A spine with injured ligaments will not act and react as does anon-injured spine. Rather, they react opposition to what is expectedwhen subjected to external weight or mechanical forces. X-rays of thelaterally-loaded head easily identify injured ligaments of the lateralcervical and thoracic spine down to the T7 vertebrae, and they help theclinician to accurately determine the patient's injuries and treatmentneeds, including the following:

(a) Injury of lateral cervical-dorsal joints and ligaments.

(b) When ligaments are injured, this examination insures that propercorrecting procedures are used so that the injured spine is not allowedto heal in subluxated positions that produce abnormal form, function,and pain.

(c) They determine which side of the head should be weighted whenligaments heal in order to exercise, strengthen, and balance theinvolved muscles without further injuring the patient.

(d) The amount of weight that is required or that will ultimately benecessary to correct and maintain the A-P cervical-upper thoracic spinecan be determined.

(e) Non-compensated and uncompensated spinal configurations of theligament-injured spine are identified by the loaded x-rays examinationso that special treatment procedures can be devised and implemented.

(f) Phasic muscles fibers are changed to postural muscles fibers on theconvex side and atrophy on the acute angle side of the varioussubluxation angles by the body as needed to stabilize the injured spine.However, this stabilization reduces spinal function. Therefore, thisimportant evaluation examination identifies the muscles in need ofequalizing and strengthening the rehabilitation procedures so thatspinal correction and maintenance can become a reality.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, thefollowing procedure can be used to identify the side of the head and theamount of head weighting to be used.

Firstly, an A-P skull-cervical-upper-thoracic x-ray image is obtained,preferably by taking an x-ray on a 14×17 or larger film. To insure thex-ray is not distorted, a self-centering head clamp 80 should be usedafter the patient's skull 82 is aligned in the posture they arepresented with, as shown in FIG. 11.

Secondly, once the x-ray image is obtained, a line 84 should be drawnbetween the outer canthus of the two eye orbits 86. This line should beparallel to the top 88 of the eye orbits 86. The line 84 just drawnshould be bisected in order to establish the center 90 of skull mass inthe A-P dimension as shown in FIG. 12.

Thirdly, as shown in FIG. 13, a line 92 should be erected from thecenter 90 of the skull 94 mass and perpendicular to the eye line. Thatline 92 should extend perpendicular to the bottom 96 of the film 98, asin drawing a gravity line. This line 92 should be parallel or nearlyparallel to the side 100 of the film as shown in FIG. 13.

Fourthly, a headband 102 weighted with four to six pounds of weight 104should be placed on the patient's high-shoulder side 106 of the head 108and a further x-ray image 110 of the A-P full spine orskull-cervical-upper thoracic region should be taken. Subsequently, thefurther x-ray image 110 should be marked as described above. Thepatient's gravity line and upper thoracic spine center line 92 should becloser together in the weighted x-ray image 110 than in the non-weightedx-ray 98, as shown in FIG. 14 when compared with FIG. 13. If the gravityline in the weighted x-ray image 110 is further from the thoracic spinecenter than it is in the non-weighted x-ray image 98, this is indicativeof ligament damage. Normally, rehabilitation and spinal correctionprocedures will not work as expected on this patient.

When the foregoing x-ray evaluation indicates ligament damage, theweight should be moved to the opposite side of the head and theforegoing repeated until a final weighting is obtained.

The side of the head that the weight should be used on when startingrehab-corrective care will cause the gravity line and the spine line tomove closer together while causing the A-P spine to straighten. Theweight of the opposite side of the head reverses the process. Additionalweight will be needed when the original weight used during theevaluation x-rays caused the gravity line to move toward but notcompletely to the center of the thoracic spine.

Additional weight can be calculated using the following procedure:

-   -   (a) Determine the amount of correction the original weight        produced. For example, if the original weight was six pounds and        it produced 75% correction, then the addition of 25% more weight        should cause the gravity line to completely align with the        center of the thoracic spine.    -   (b) The foregoing should be verified by retaking an remeasuring        the x-ray image as described above.    -   (c) The evaluation should continue with repeating the foregoing        process until the ultimate amount of weight necessary is        determined.

When too much weight is applied to the side of the head in the weightedevaluation process, the gravity line and thoracic spine may not correctfurther, and may possibly move further apart. Therefore, the weightshould be reduced back to the original amount. The reduced amount ofweight should be used for two-six weeks to allow the muscles tostrengthen, then the additional amount of weight calculated should beapplied. Reevaluation and additional weight should be done as needed.

Another embodiment of the method of lateral head weighting in accordancewith the procedure of the present invention will now be described inconjunction with FIGS. 15-19. In accordance with the method of thepresent invention, lateral head weighting begins slowly anddeliberately. Referring to FIGS. 15A-B, a frontal head weight 112 isplaced on the head 114 of the patient 116 with a removable weight holder118. The weight 112 is positioned over the high shoulder side 120 inpatients with a number 1 posture, i.e., head level and shoulder 120high. Similarly, the weight 112 is placed on the same side of the headin posture number 2, shown in FIG. 15B, where the shoulders are leveland the eyes are tilted, with the weight on the side the head is tippedtoward, i.e., the side where the eyes 122 are tilted down.

In posture 3, shown in FIG. 16A, the eyes 122 and the shoulder 120 arelevel, but the head 114 is shifted laterally. In this case, the weight112 is placed on the side that the head 114 is shifted away from. Theopposite head lateral shift is shown in posture number 4 in FIG. 16B.

It should be noted that in lateral head shifting, shown in postures 3and 4 in FIGS. 16A-B, this is indicative of ligament injury. Therefore,these patients must be weighted on the opposite side of the headinitially and then special exercises should be required, as discussedfurther below. It should further be noted that the spine is threedimensional. Therefore, rapid lateral shifting of the frontal weight tothe side may actually decrease previously-corrected cervical lordosis.

Lateral head weighting causes a reflex over-contraction of the patient'sneck and upper body muscles on the side opposite the weight, as shown inFIG. 17. The overcontracted muscles tend to pull the head 124 and eyes126 to the side of the overcontractions, as shown in FIG. 18. This newlateral position of the head and eyes then activates the person'srighting reflexes, which repositions and corrects the head and upperspine 128 to be in alignment with gravity down to the T7 vertebrae, asshown in FIG. 19.

Ideally, head weighting should begin within at least forty seconds afterrising in the morning. In one embodiment, head weighting could be usedin combination with cervical traction, i.e., within forty seconds aftercompleting cervical traction or within forty seconds after beingadjusted by a practitioner. Head weighting may cause nausea if usedlater in the day without first being used in the morning as directed.

In the event too much weight is used or the head weight is left on toolong, the patient's head will tip toward the weight. To correct this,the amount of weight should be reduced until this head tipping no longerhappens and the weight is easily tolerated.

It should be noted that during the rehabilitation process, the muscleson the exercised side over-strengthen, thereby making it necessary tochange the position of the weight. As the need arises, the patientshould be re-x-rayed starting with four to six pounds on the oppositeside of where they previously had the weight.

Furthermore, if shoulder weighting in used in conjunction with hipweighting (described below), then a change in head weighting may alsorequire a change in the weighting of the hip.

In instances where lateral head weighting identifies ligamentinstability, the clinician should determine beneficial muscle exercisesthat will stabilize the spine while the ligaments are healing.Corrective exercises are utilized after stability is achieved.

The system of the present invention also includes lateral shoulderweighting and related evaluation. Lateral shoulder weighting by itselfhas little effect on the upper thoracic spine (above the T7 vertebrae);however, it has its greatest effect in the correction of the lowerthoracic (below the T7 vertebrae) and the upper lumbar spine above theL3 vertebrae.

It should be noted that shoulder and hip weighting (described below) areperformed later and in addition to forward and lateral head weighting.Hip weighting is most effective after head and shoulder weighting hasproduced its maximum results in the lateral and A-P spine.

The lateral shoulder weighting and evaluation procedures will now bedescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 16 and 17.

First, the A-P full spine are sectional films used above in conjunctionwith the lateral head weighting can be used to determine if the spine130 is compensated, as shown in FIG. 15A. If the spine 130 iscompensated, approximately eight pounds or more of weight 132 (up to 50pounds) should be placed on the outside of the low shoulder 134 andanother x-ray taken.

The patient's righting reflexes should lift the low shoulder 134 as highor higher than the opposite shoulder 136, with a corrective change inthe lower thoracic, upper lumbar spine 138 if the ligaments are intactand sufficient weight was used to activate the patient's rightingreflexes without overloading the muscles, as shown in FIG. 21. Thisaction should cause a correction of the lower thoracic spine 138. In theevent that the weighting of the low shoulder 134 causes the lower dorsalspine to further misalign with the upper thoracic spine or the lumbarspine 138, ligament instability is indicated in this area. To verifythese findings, the same weight 132 should be placed on the oppositeshoulder 136 and a further x-ray image obtained and evaluated. Suchevaluation will enable the clinician to make a rational decision on howto proceed with muscle rehabilitation and adjusting the needs of thepatient.

In the event the opposite (high) shoulder 136 needs weighting, theclinician should determine muscle exercises that will help stabilize thespine while it is healing, as well as maintenance exercises after it hashealed.

For patients that have loss of lumbar lordosis with forward protrudinghip posture and lateral spine deviations, it is noted thatlateral-posterior shoulder weighting has a profound effect on correctingposture, scoliosis, and loss of lumbar lordosis, as well as thelumbo-dorsal spine subluxations. The following procedures should beused:

First, when combined posture subluxation is evident, the lateralshoulder weight 132 should be placed on the patient's back as well as onthe shoulder. Furthermore, the amount of weight is usually much greater,starting for example with up to twenty-five pounds and additional weightadded as needed. At times, one hundred or more pounds of weight havebeen required.

Usually the patient's spine is not in compensation; therefore, it is aclinical decision as to which side to weight first during the x-rayexamination. By a process of elimination, the clinician will be able todetermine which shoulder needs weighting as well as the amount of weightrequired.

The best method to determine the side and need of weighting and theamount of weight required is to load one side of a backpack 140 withtwenty-five pounds of weight and the other side with foam rubber. Theweighted side should be placed on the low shoulder side 142 of the back144, as shown in FIG. 22. The weighted backpack 140 should cause thehips to move back at least partially under the weight.

Should the initial weight not completely cause the affected hip to moveunder the weight, more weight should be added until the correction isachieved or until the patient's posture is negatively affected. If thehips have not been corrected relative to the upper body, the weight inthe pack 140 should be shifted to the other shoulder and a visualdetermination made as to which side caused the greatest lateral spineshift without compromising the hips and upper back correction.

An A-P x-ray of the spine should now be taken in order to confirm thevisual examination findings. In the event the x-ray image give evidencethat is contrary to visual observations, the x-ray image findings shouldtake precedence over the visual examination.

It should be noted that this type of subluxation complex always hasinvolved the muscles. The clinician should identify the involved musclesand devise rehabilitation exercises for them. In addition, front,lateral, or front-lateral combined head weighting is always used whenutilizing the shoulder and hip weighting.

Referring next to FIG. 23, shown therein is a hip weight 146 that isplaced on the front and side of a hip 148 that appears to be rotatedforward. This is generally the preferred placement of external hipweights using an externally removable Weight strap 150 or belt.Typically, this is usually the hip 148 on the measured acutelumbo-sacral angle on an A-P x-ray as shown in FIG. 23.

Hip weighting usually starts with an initial weight of eight to tenpounds, and more weight is added if needed. A reevaluation is performedby taking an additional x-ray after the initial weight is placed on thehip. If the hip weight appears to cause the hip rotation to worsen, thehip weight should be placed on the opposite hip and reevaluated. Oncethe clinician has determine the best weight and placement, a weightedx-ray of the lower spine is retaken.

X-ray evaluation may also determine which hip is in need of weighting.X-ray evaluation takes precedence over visual evaluation.

Special head weighting exercises can be performed to correct uncorrectedspinal rotation and uncorrected lateral deviation subluxations. Often,rotations of the skull-atlas and the axis spinous do not align orfunction as expected. Typically this is because of unresolved injurythat has caused a ligament, such the alar ligament to tear or itinvolves loss of disc height or joint pathology, or combinations of twoor more of the foregoing. Routine examinations do not detect lateralspine deviation injuries, and therefore they are not corrected withroutine spinal care. These unresolved problems require special care.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, specialhead weighting exercises are effective for correcting unresolvedproblems caused by torn ligaments. To perform these special exercises,the following should be done:

-   -   (a) A special headband should be fitted on the head of the user        and weighted with six to fifteen pounds of weight on the        forehead.    -   (b) An attempt should be made to exercise the neck through its        full range of motion, identifying any restricted mobility. The        patient should then bend over and place the hands on the knees        and repeat the exercise, especially in the identified areas of        restriction. The head should be extended and the user should        work up to twenty extension head lifts.    -   (c) Next, the weight is shifted to the side of the head and the        exercises are repeated. The weight should then be shifted to the        other side of the head and the exercises again repeated.    -   (d) Exercise effects should be noted in the neck, chest, and        back down to the T7 vertebrae.

FIG. 24 illustrates a head weighting system 152 formed in accordancewith another embodiment of the invention. This system 152 includes aheadpiece 154 and a plurality of weights 156 and 158.

The headpiece 154 is formed to fit over a patient's head and support oneor more of the weights 156, 158 in a weight holder 160. The weightholder 160 is formed from a first wall 162 and a second wall 164 ofmaterial that are stitched together along the length of a bottom side166 and the length of a first and second end 168, 170, respectively. Thematerial may be formed from cloth, flexible plastic, or other materialsthat provide sufficient strength and rigidity to comfortably hold theweights to the patient's head.

A pair of front pockets 172, 174, and a pair of side pockets 176, 178,are formed by stitching 179 between the bottom side 166 and a top side180 of the headpiece 154. Ideally, the stitching need not extend thefull distance between the top and bottom sides 180, 166. Preferably, thefront and side pockets 172, 174, 176, 178, are sized and shaped toreceive one, and preferably two, of the weights 156, 158 in each pocket.The pockets are preferable retained in a closed position with knownfasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners to provide access to thepockets at any time.

An adjustable strap 182 is attached at each end 168, 170 of theheadpiece 154 to hold the headpiece 154 on a user's head. In thisembodiment, the adjustable strap 182 includes a first strap member 184attached to the first end 168 and a rigid ring member 184 attached tothe second end 170. The first strap member 184 is sized and shaped toloop through the rigid ring member 184 and attach back on itself,ideally with hook and loop fasteners 186, 188. It is to be understoodthat other adjustment systems may be used as known to those skilled inthe art for holding the headpiece 154 to a user's head. For example, thestrap can be attached with hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buckles, andthe like, In this embodiment no straps are used over the top of theuser's head. Two straps may also be used, one on each end of theheadpiece and attached together as described above.

To aid in holding the headpiece 154 to a patient's head, anotherembodiment is illustrated in FIG. 25 in which a second adjustable strap190 is attached across the top side 180 of the headpiece 154. The secondadjustable strap 190 is formed from a first strap member 192 having oneend 194 attached to existing pocket stitching 179 adjacent the first end168 and a rigid ring member 196 attached by a short tab 198 adjacent thesecond end 170. The second adjustable strap 190 is configured in thesame manner as the first adjustable strap 182 and will not be describedin further detail herein. Because of the substantial amount of weightheld by the headpiece 154, which can cause the headpiece 154 to slipdown on a patient's forehead, the second adjustable strap 190 isdesigned to maintain the headpiece 154 in a desired position on thepatient's head.

To further distribute the load and increase the patient's comfort, aswell as maintain the headpiece 154 in position, a third adjustable strap200 is provided having one end 202 attached to existing stitching 179between the front pockets 172, 174. The third adjustable strap 200 issized and shaped to loop around the second adjustable strap 190 andattach to itself in the same manner as the first and second adjustablestraps 182, 190.

To further improve comfort for the user, padding 204 is attached by theexisting stitching 179 to the second wall 164 to bear against thepatient's head. This padding is preferably moisture absorbant to absorbsweat and is removable for washing.

The head weighting system 152 is to be used under the direction of askilled medical professional. The appropriate amount of weight isapplied to a patient's head by combining one or more of the plurality ofweights 156, 158 with the headpiece 154 by inserting the weights 156,158 into one or more of the pockets 172, 174, 176, 178, as directed bythe medical professional. Prior to placing the weights in the headpiece154, if the adjustable straps 182; 190, 200 are used, they should beadjusted to fit the patient's head. After the system 152 is placed onthe patient's head, the straps can be further adjusted as necessary forsupport and comfort. Weights can be interchanged when the system 152 ison the patient's head as desired. Thus, weight can be used on only thefront, one side, both sides, or on both sides and the front. Weight canalso be used on the rear with an appropriate pocket (not shown) asdesired.

While various embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, various changes may be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is tobe limited only by the scope of the claims that follow and theequivalents thereof.

1. A system for weighting of a patient's skeletal system, comprising: aplurality of weights; a headpiece having first and second walls stitchedtogether with stitching along a bottom side and the length of a firstand second end to form a cavity, and pocket stitching between the bottomside and a top side to divide the cavity into a plurality of pockets,each pocket sized and shaped to hold at least one weight; a firstadjustable strap having one end attached by the stitching to the firstend of the headpiece, and a second end attached by the stitching in thesecond end of the headpiece; a second adjustable strap having a firstend attached by the pocket stitching to the top side of the headpieceadjacent the first end of the headpiece, and a second end attached bythe pocket stitching to the top side of the headpiece adjacent to thesecond end; and a third adjustable strap having a first end attached bythe pocket stitching that forms a pair of front pockets at the top sideof the headpiece and configured to loop around the second adjustablestrap and attach to itself.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprisingpadding attached to an exterior surface of the second wall to bearagainst a patient's head.
 3. A system for weighting a user's skeletalsystem, comprising: a plurality of weights in the range of one to twentypounds; and a headpiece having at least one pocket formed therein forholding at least one weight on the user's head, and at least one strapattached to the pocket and configured to hold the pocket to the user'shead when at least one weight is in the at least one pocket.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the headpiece comprises a headband having theleast one pocket formed therein for holding at least one weight of theplurality of weights.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality ofstraps comprises a first strap adjustably coupled to the headband, asecond strap having one end coupled to the headband and a second endcoupled to the first strap, the first and second straps configured torest upon the user's head, and a third strap attached to the headbandand configured to extend around the back of the user's head.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the first and third straps are adjustable toenable a user to adjust the fit and position of the headpiece on theuser's head.
 7. A headpiece for weighting of a patient's skeletal systemwith one or more weights, the headpiece comprising: first and secondwalls stitched together with stitching along a bottom side and a lengthof a first and second end to form a cavity, and pocket stitching betweenthe bottom side and a top side to divide the cavity into a plurality ofpockets, each pocket sized and shaped to hold at least one weight; and aplurality of straps attached to at least one of the first and secondwalls.
 8. The headpiece of claim 7, wherein the plurality of strapscomprises a first adjustable strap having one end attached by stitchingto the first end of the headpiece, and a second end attached bystitching to the second end of the headpiece; a second adjustable straphaving a first end attached by stitching to the top side of theheadpiece adjacent the first end of the headpiece, and a second endattached by stitching to the top side of the headpiece adjacent to thesecond end; and a third adjustable strap having a first end attached bystitching to one of the first and second walls and a second endconfigured to loop around the second adjustable strap and attach toitself.
 9. A headpiece for supporting one or more weights on a user'shead for weighting of the user's skeletal system, the headpiececomprising: a headband having at least one pocket formed therein forholding at least one weight in the headpiece; and a plurality of strapsattached to the pocket for supporting and positioning the headpiece onthe user's head to weight the user's skeletal system.
 10. The headpieceof claim 9, wherein the plurality of straps comprises a first strapattached to the headband, a second strap having one end attached to theheadband and a second end configured for attachment to the first strap,and a third strap attached to the headband to be positioned around theback of the user's head when the headband is positioned on the user'shead.
 11. The headpiece of claim 10, wherein the plurality of straps areadjustable to enable adjustment in the fit of the headband on the user'shead and to permit adjustment in the position of the headband when wornon the user's head.
 12. A headband for weighting a patient's head withweights as part of a therapeutic system in which the patient is firstexamined to determine corrective weighting and then the headband isconfigured with the corrective weighting, the head band comprising: aweight holder sized and shaped to be positioned on the patient's headand having at least one pocket for holding the weight.
 13. The headbandof claim 12, wherein the weight holder holds a plurality of weights inthe range of one to twenty pounds.